The Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) has written the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) calling for the disqualification of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidates is saddened by events surrounding the by- elections voting process in Tuesday’s by-elections in Karonga.
MEC is holding local government by-elections for Rukuru, Chilanga and Kaporo wards in the district.
In a statement signed by David Katere, AFORD claims that just like in Nsanje, Zomba, and Dedza, MCP officials have been spotted distributing handouts in Karonga.
“We believe that Elections are a key for nurturing peace and stability in transitional settings and are often, as a result, one of the central rudiments of peace and transitional political solidarities.
“It is our considered view that this call for a performance of order, peace, free and fair election is often explicitly disciplinary,” reads part of the statement released on Monday
The party said the evidence about this is overwhelming yet nothing is coming out from Malawi Electoral Commission.
“According to the laws of Malawi on electoral reforms, the Constitution provides for disqualification of candidates that have openly defied the law and use handouts to woo voters in contradiction of their initial wishes.
“Against this background, we feel that MEC is bent towards bringing anarchy to our electoral laws in the coming elections,” he said
The party has called upon MEC to disqualify the MCP candidates in all three Wards.
“Failure to do so, MEC will be showing biased and untrusted execution of their duties as they serve this country. Alliance for Democracy would further wish to call upon all actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process.
“We encourage all parties to make it clear to their supporters that any attempts to use money as demonstrated by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to disrupt the democratic process is unacceptable.
“If our demands will not be met, we shall have no option but drag MEC to court for promoting the spirit of handouts when the law is clear on what should happen during the election campaign,” reads the statement in part
There was no immediate comment from MEC.
